Power controlling means for windmills



L. s. s'rRlPLlNG 2,094,504

'Filed Feb. s, 1957 's sheets-sheet 1 Sept. 28, 1937.

POWER CONTROLLING MEANS FOR WINDMILLS s sheets-sheet 2 Sept. 28, 1937. 1 s. sTRlPLlNG l POWER CONTROLLING MEANS FOR WINDMILLS Filed Feb. s, 1937 www Sept. 28, 1937.4 L. s. sTRlPLlNG 2,094,504

POWER CONTROLLING MEANS FOR WINDMILLS Filed Feb. s, 1957 s sheets-sheet 5 Illlllll" lll m-m lll/1114 mmm: e M fm Patented Sept. 28, 1937 Unire .erst Fries POWER CONTROLLING MEANS FOR WINDMILLS 17 Claims.

This invention relates to windmills and other like devices and has special reference to power controlling means for windmills.

One important object of the invention is to provide an improved general construction of means whereby the action of a windmill may be rendered uniform and independent of the fluctuations in speed which are occasioned by fluctuations in wind velocity.

A second important object of the invention is to provide a novel pendulum actuated apparatus for attachment to a windmill of ordinary construction, which apparatus will eectively prevent fluctuations in the speed of operations performed by the windmill. Y

A third important object of the invention is to provide a novel apparatus of this character forming a species of governor for a windmill.

A fourth important object of the invention is to provide a pendulum controlled windmill governor of novel. construction and wherein the pendulum may be varied in length to control the timing of the operations under control of this apparatus.

A fifth important object of the invention is to provide a novel device of this character which is adjustable yto enable the device to be applied to various kinds of windmills as now constructed.

With the above and other objects in View as will be hereinafter apparent, the invention consists in general of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings like characters of reference indicate like parts inthe several views, and: v

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the invention. Figure 2 is a plan View thereof.

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fgure l.

Figure 4 is a section on the line ll-il of Figure 1.

In the accompanying drawings, which illus-4 trate one preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the right hand end of the device as seen in Figures 1 and 2 will be referred to as the front of the machine and the left hand end of those figures will be termed the rear of the machine.

The device is provided with a double A-frame which comprises a pair of front legs I0 and a pair of rear legs Il which are connected at their upper ends by a single bolt or shaft I2, the front legs at this point lying against the outer faces of the rear legs. The front legs are provided with alternate short vertical portions I3 offset outwardly with respect to each other from top to bottom and these offset portions are connected by diagonal portions Iii. The rear legs are simi- 5 larly formed of alternate vertical portions I5 and diagonal portions I6. The lower ends of the lowest portions I3 and I5 are bent to extend vertically ydownwards as at Il and in these lower ends there is provided a series of vertically spaced bolt openings I8. Vertical leg extensions I9 are provided with similarly spaced 1oolt holes 20 and are connected to the lower portions Il by bolts 2| passing through selected bolt holes I8 and passing so that the height of the frame may be 15 adjusted to suit varying conditions in the wind mill, the platform of which is shown at 22. Foot angles 23 are provided to connect the bottom ends of the extensions I0 to the platform 22. Longitudinal brace bars 24 are secured to certain of the vertical portions I3 and,l I5 by bolts 25 which run from one leg to the opposite leg and thus form cross-ties for the frame. The members 2li have rearward extensions 2t which are connected by diagonal braces 21 to the lower leg portions I5. 25

Depending centrally from the shaft I2 is a pendulum hanger 28 which is held from lateral movement on the bolt by collars or washers 29. Diagonal braces 30 secure the lower end of this hanger 28 to the rear legs I I, a cross-tie bolt 3i connecting these braces 30 and said legs. A bolt or shaft 32 connects the braces 3@ and the hanger 28 and its outer ends serve to support the upper ends of pendulum stem members 33. The members 2l, at their juncture with the legs, are connected to the legs and to each other by a crosstie bolt St. Similarly, cross-tie bolts 25 and 35 connect the front legs I0.

Extending longitudinally of the frame along its center line is a cylindrical guide 36 having on its upper side a longitudinal slot 3l. This guide is supported at its rear end by a clamping strap' 38 carried by the bolt SI and having its sides gripped on the guide'it by a clamping bolt 39. A stirrup 40 supports the guide from the front legs I0, being fastened to said legs by bolts 4I. Part of the weight of the guide may be taken by the bolts 25. Reciprocably mounted in the guide is a long plunger QZ having a lug t3 projecting O upwardly through the slot 3l. A bolt it pivotally .D connects the forward ends of a pair of links 45 to the lug i3 and the rear ends of these links are provided with a series of openings (i6 and pass between the stem members 33. The members 33 are likewise provided with a series of spaced openings il and a bolt 48 passes through selected openings 46 and 1 so that the position of the plunger and its stroke, relative to the oscillations of the members 33, may be regulated. The lower ends of the members 33 are provided with longitudinally spaced openings 49. These members 373 may be of any desired length, being shown in the drawings as broken away for this purpose. In fact, the pendulum may extend below the platform 22 to a point near the ground or even into a pit in the ground.

Members 50 extend forwardly romrthe bolts 4I and are united at their forward ends by a yoke 5|. Braces 52 extend forwardly and upwardly from the bolt 35 to meet the members 56, one of the braces being secured to its member 50 by a bolt 53 while a shaft 54 connects the other` member 55 and its brace, the shaft being journalled in openings in said member and brace. On the Shaft 53is fixed a gear wheel 55 which is provided with a crank pin 55 connected to the forward end of the plunger by a connecting rody 51. On the shaft 54 is also xed a crank disc or wheel 58 provided with a crank pin 5S carrying one end of a link 60. The other end of the link 6B is adapted to be connected to the sucker rod 5| of a Windmill by a bolt 52. Y

Depending from the bolt 53 and shaft 54 is a pair of hangers 63 wherein is journalled a shaft 64 and these hangers are connected to the front legs I by braces 55. On the shaft 54 is mounted a gear wheel 66 which meshes with the wheel 55 and is provided with a hand crank This Wheel is for the purpose of giving the mechanism its initial impulse.

At 68 is a bucket forming the pendulum bob and this bucket is provided with side straps 69 which maybe connected to suitable openings 59 of the members 33 by bolts lil. The bob is made in bucket form so that it may be loaded with suitable weight as indicated by the lumps of Vrock 'Il in Fig. 3.

A connecting link 'l2 is provided at the rear of the plunger so that two of these devices may be connected end to end. Also, a pair of these devices may be arranged side by side, both being connected to the element 65. Furthermore, while not here shown it is obvious that ball or other anti-friction bearings may be used wherever needed or found desirable. Y v

Leaf springs 13 are mounted on the frame in such position as to be engaged by the members 33 when oscillating. This is to absorb any shocks caused by excessive amplitude .of oscillation of the pendulum.

In operation, the device is, if necessary, star-ted by turning the wheel 66. The pendulum will now oscillate and the wheels 55 and5i will rotate. The reciprocation of the sucker-rod Gl will maintain this oscillation. Due to the law of physics governing the oscillation of pendulums the times of the reciprocations of the rod 6I will be kept uniformrand sudden puffs of wind or drops in wind pressure will have no practical effect on the speed at which the rod 6I operates.

Obviously, the wheel 53 may be made as a belt Wheel and belted to any desired rotary mechanism the speed of which itis desired to govern.

There has thus been providedV a simple and eilicient device of the kind described and for the purpose specified. Y Y

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and construction of the invention Without departing from the material spirit thereof. It is not, therefore, desired to confine the` invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but it is desiredto include all such as properly come within the scope claimed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is:

1. In a windmill having a reciprocating element, a power controlling device including a supporting frame, a pendulum swingingly supported from said frame, a plunger mounted on said frame and extending longitudinally in the plane of oscillation of the pendulum,'plunger operating means connecting the plunger and pendulum, said plunger operating means including a link adapted for connection at selected points of its length to selected points on the pendulum and means for so connecting the link and pendulum, and a linkage connecting the plunger and the reciprocating element of' the windmill.

2,'In a windmill having a reciprocating element, a power controlling device including a supporting frame, a pendulum swingingly supported from said frame, a plunger mounted on said frame and extending longitudinally in the plane of oscillation of the pendulum, a link having one end connected to said plunger and its other end connected to said pendulum to reciprocate the plunger as the pendulum oscillates, means to connect the link at spaced points in its length to spaced points in the length of the pendulum, and a linkage connecting the plunger and the reciprocating elementV of the windmill.

3. Inra windmill having a reciprocating element, a power controlling device including a supporting frame, a pendulum swingingly SupDOrted from said frame, a plunger mounted on said frame and extending longitudinally in the plane of oscillation of the pendulum, a link having one end connected to said plunger and its other end connected to said pendulum to reciprocate the plunger as the pendulum oscillates, means to connect the link at spaced points' in its length to spaced points in the length Vof the pendulum, a shaft journalled in said frame and provided with crank means, a connecting rod connecting said plunger and crank means, and a link connecting said crank means and the reciprocating part of the windmill.

4. In a windmill having Va reciprocating element, a power controlling device including a sup-V porting frame, Va :pendulum swingingly supported from said frame, a plunger mounted on said frame and extending longitudinally in the plane ofoscillation of the pendulum, a link having one end connected tosaid plunger and its other end connected to said pendulumto reciprocate the plunger as the pendulum oscillates, ashaft journalled in said frame, a wheel fixed on said shaft and having Ya crank-.pin projecting therefrom, a connecting rod connecting said plunger and crank-pin, av second wheel fixed on said shaft and having a crank-pin projecting therefrom,

'and a link having one end connected tothe last ment, a power controlling device including a supporting frame, a-pendulum swinginglysup'ported from said frame, said pendulum including a bucket-like bob for receiving selected Weight i masses and an extensible stem, a plunger mountj and the reciprocating element of the windmill.

"7. In a Windmill having a reciprocating element', a power controlling device includinga supportingframe, a pendulum swingingly supported from said frame, said pendulum including a bucket-like bob for receiving selected Weight masses and an extensible stem, a plunger mounted on said frame and extending longitudinally in the plane of oscillation of the pendulum, a link having one end connected to said plunger and its other end connected to said pendulum to reciprocate the plunger as the pendulum oscillates, and a linkage connecting the plunger and the reciprocating element of the windmill.

8. In a Windmill having a reciprocating element, a power controlling device including a supporting frame, a pendulum swingingly supported from said frame, said pendulum including a bucket-like bob for receiving selected weight masses and an extensible stem, a plunger mounted on said frame and extending longitudinally in the plane of oscillation of the pendulum, a link having one end connected to said plunger and its other end connected to said pendulum to reciprocate the plunger as the pendulum oscillates, a shaft journalled in said frame and provided with crank means, a connecting rod connecting said plunger and crank means, and a link connecting said crank means and the reciprocating part of the windmill.

9. In a windmill having a reciprocating element, a power controlling device including a supporting frame, a pendulum swingingly supported from said frame, said pendulum including a bucket-like bob and an extensible stem, a plunger mounted on said frame andl extending longitudinally in the plane of oscillation of the pendulum, a link having one end connected to said plunger and its other end connected to said pendulum to reciprocate the plunger as the pendulum oscillates, a shaft journalled in said frame, a wheel fixed on said shaft and having a crankpin projecting therefrom, a connecting rod connecting said plunger and crank-pin, a second wheel fixed on said shaft. and having a crankpin projecting therefrom, and a link having one end connected to the last mentioned crank pin and having its other end adapted for connection to the reciprocating part of the windmill.

10. In a windmill having a reciprocating element, a power controlling device including a supporting frame, a pendulum swingingly supported from said frame, a linkage connecting the pendulum to the reciprocating element of the windmill, and spring means supported on the frame at each side of the pendulum for engaging the pendulum to cushion excessive oscillations thereof.

11. In a Windmill having a reciprocating element, a power controlling device including a supporting frame, a pendulum swingingly supported from said frame, a plunger mounted on said frame and extending longitudinally in the plane of oscillationr of the pendulum, plunger operating means connecting the plunger and pendulum, a linkage connecting the plunger and the reciprocating element of the windmill, and spring means supported on the frame at each side of the pendulum for engaging the lpendulum tov cushion exces=A sive oscillations thereof.

12. In a windmill having a reciprocating element, a power controlling device including a supporting frame, a pendulum swingingly supported from said frame, a plunger mounted on said frame and extending longitudinally in the plane of oscillation of the pendulum, a link having one end` connected to said plunger and its other end con-v nected to said pendulum to reciprocate the plunger as the pendulum oscillates, a linkage connecting the plungerA and the reciprocating element of the windmill, anda spring means supported on the frame at each side of the pendulum for engaging the pendulum to cushion excessive oscillations thereof.

13. In a windmill having a reciprocating element, a power controlling device including a supporting frame, a pendulum swingingly supported from said frame, said pendulum including a bucket-like bob and an extensible stem, a linkage connecting the pendulum to the reciprocating element of the windmill, and spring means supported on the frame at each side of the pendulum for engaging the pendulum to cushion excessive oscillations thereof.

14. In a windmill having a reciprocating element, a power controlling device including a supporting frame, a pendulum swingingly supported from said frame, said pendulum including a bucket-like bob and an extensible stem, a plunger mounted on said frame and extending longitudinally in the plane of oscillation ofthe pendulum, plunger operating means connecting the plunger and pendulum, a linkage connecting the plunger and the reciprocating element of the Windmill, and spring means supported on the frame at each side of the pendulum for engaging the pendulum to cushion excessive oscillations thereof.

15. In a windmill having a reciprocating element, a power controlling device including a supporting frame, a pendulum swingingly supported from said frame, said pendulum including a bucket-like bob and an extensible stem, a plunger mounted on said frame and extending longitudinally in the plane of oscillation of the pendulum, a link having one end connected to sai-d plunger and its other end connected to said pendulum to reciprocate the plunger as the pendulum oscillates, a linkage connecting the plunger and the reciprocating element of the windmill, and spring means supported on the frame at each side of the pendulum for engaging the pendulum to cushion excessive oscillations thereof.

16. In a windmill having' a reciprocating element, a power controlling device including a supporting frame, a pendulum swingingly supported from said frame, a plunger mounted on said frame and extending longitudinally in the plane of oscillation of the pendulum, a link having one end connected to said plunger and `its other end connected to said pendulum to reciprocate the plunger as the pendulum oscillates, a shaft journalled in said frame, a Wheel fixed on said shaft and having a crank-pin projecting therefrom, a connecting rod connecting said plunger and crank-pin, a second wheel iixed on said shaft and having a crank-pin projecting therefrom, a, link having one end connected to the last mentioned crank pin and having its other end adapted for connection to ther reciprocating part of the windmill, one of said wheels having gear teeth on its periphery to form a gear, a secondshaft in said frame, a gear on said shaft meshing with the rst gear, and a crank-handle projecting from the gear on the second shaft 17. In a windmill having a reciprocating element, a power controlling device including a supporting frame, a pendulum swingingly supported from said frame, said pendulum including a bucket-like bob and an extensible stem, a plunger mounted on said frame and extending longitudinally in the plane of oscillation of the pendulum, a link having one end connected to said plunger and its other end connected to said pendulum to reciprocate the plunger as the pendulum oscillates, a shaft journalled in said frame, a wheel iixed on said shaft and having aV 

